Data Scientist

Southern Water; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Data Scientist to join their team in Falmer (Brighton) with a hybrid work model. This role focuses on enhancing business performance through analytics and application of machine learning techniques. Candidates should possess excellent skills in R or Python, along with strong communication abilities to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Health cash plan cover

Pension contributions up to 11%

Company and performance-related bonus

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Two paid volunteering days a year

Qualifications

• Experience with R or Python for data solution coding.
• Experience working with Azure and Databricks.
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support business performance with data-driven analytics.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to influence decisions.
• Champion data literacy and engage in innovative analytics.

Skills

R

Python

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Data product development

Communication skills

Tools

Azure

Databricks

Job description

Closing Date
2025-03-05
Location: Falmer (Brighton) - Hybrid - occasional office visits

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: 40k to 50K GBP Annual D.O.E.

Hours: 37 hours

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.

Are you ready to make a difference in the water & waste industry?

Southern Water is building teams ensuring delivery of water to our customers across southern England.

We are recruiting a Data Scientist to join our data team which is critical in supporting the business in achieve its long-term strategic objectives, through the contribution to the development of innovative, data-driven products and analytics.

You will help improve business performance in Southern Water through your experience in data science & machine learning and the application of appropriate technology to opportunities identified throughout the business.

We prioritise value over everything - and you will be expected to seek out the opportunities in the business where you can deliver the most impact through the application of technical expertise gained in a similar role.

Interfacing with the organisation on their needs will require strong communication and business acumen, excellent problem space analysis and the ability to replay your findings to a wide range of technical and non-technical stakeholders, at all levels of the organisation, through engaging storytelling, visualisations, and reporting.

We are a maturing function, and you will be expected to champion data & analytics throughout the organisation, taking opportunities to elevate data literacy and generate excitement around the business problems we can help solve together.

Knowledge & experience needed:

• Excellent ability in R or Python, to write clear, logical, documented code as data solutions
• Experience working with Azure (Cloud), Databricks
• Experience working with real-world data, including spatial data
• Understanding of data product development frameworks
• Highly numerate with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience of analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
• Organised and disciplined with the ability to work across multiple projects and prioritise own time.
• Experience of building and maintaining positive working relationships with internal stakeholders, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Committed and motivated self-learner, passionate about sharing knowledge gained with wider team and business
• Experience or ability to mentor and help develop senior analysts' development pathways

Technical

• Excellent understanding and application of a broad range of analytical techniques, including supervised & unsupervised learning, optimisation, LLMs etc.

Risk & Compliance

• Understanding of data security and governance (GDPR etc)
• Understanding of legal and ethical considerations of AI & automated decision making

What Do We Offer?

• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays.
• Health cash plan cover (with options to upgrade for family coverage).
• Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers.
• Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution).
• An employee assistance program.
• A network of sports and social clubs.
• Company and performance-related bonus.
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary.
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service).
• Health Cash Plan.
• Two paid volunteering days a year.
• Occupational health service.
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers.
• Digital GP service.
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications.
• Competitive maternity & paternity leave and flexible return to work options.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that 'normal' office hours aren't possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

If this role isn't quite what you're looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com)

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support - because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That's why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you'll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Privacy Statement:

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.